Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS)

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers two programs of study leading to a master of science degree in family studies: the Core Areas of Study Program and the Marriage and Family Therapy Program.

The goal of both programs is to provide students with an understanding of theory and methods relevant to child and family studies and to prepare them to work with families in therapeutic, educational, and community or corporate settings. The Core Areas of Study program has two foci: Adolescent Development and Child Development. Students may elect a thesis or comprehensive exam. The Marriage and Family Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education and requires a minimum of two years of full-time study, including two summers.

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies also offers a one-year, 14- to 15-credit, multidisciplinary program of study leading to a graduate certificate in Adolescent Development. The certificate program is intended for individuals who are working in the field but who lack specific knowledge about adolescence, as well as those who are changing careers or who are already working in related fields and need to meet continuing education requirements or desire additional academic preparation.

Admission Requirements

Students in good standing with undergraduate degrees in any field and a specific interest in working with individuals and families are encouraged to apply.

Candidates for the master’s degree program must have completed an introductory statistics course or the equivalent as part of their undergraduate program. If their undergraduate program did not include such a course, students who are accepted into the M.S. program must successfully complete an introductory statistics course before they graduate. (Note: Students in the Core Area of Study program must also complete a graduate statistics course; see “Program Requirements” for the Core Area of Study.)

In lieu of the standard UNH Graduate School personal statement, applicants to the MFT program must answer the questions listed on the department's MFT admissions website. Responses to the MFT questions should be submitted in numbered format, and should address each question separately and explicitly. Answers to the MFT questions should be submitted with the application (either online or in hard copy).

Individuals applying to the Core Areas of Study and Certificate programs should submit a standard personal statement with their applications.

M.S. Degree: Core Areas of Study Program

Adolescent Development: This core area of study is designed to develop general competence in understanding and applying theory and research regarding adolescents within the context of their families and communities. Students are expected to participate in projects involving adolescents and to complete a practicum in a program that serves adolescents.

Child Development: This core area of study is designed to develop an understanding of theory and research regarding children from infancy through the early school years and to prepare students to work in a variety of social science positions focused on children's family and school experiences. Students are expected to complete a practicum in a child-focused setting.

M.S. Degree: Marriage and Family Therapy Program

The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Program is a 72-credit program designed so students may achieve a master of science in a minimum of two years and two summers. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). MFT students must: 1) satisfactorily complete an established array of courses; 2) accrue 500 hours of client contact through teaming, through the Marriage and Family Therapy Center, and (for the majority of students) through an external internship; and 3) satisfactorily complete an integrative paper and presentation. The clinical training emphasizes treating individuals, couples, and families in relationship to larger systems that influence them. Supervised practica continue throughout the program.

MFT program graduates function as competent and ethical marriage and family therapy professionals and have a solid knowledge base of marriage and family therapy theory and research as well as clinical practice principles. The MFT Program successfully prepares graduates for employment as marriage and family therapists in community agencies.

Certificate Program

The certificate in adolescent development builds general competence in understanding and applying theory and research regarding adolescent development, with particular emphasis on the influences of families and communities. The program is grounded in an ecological approach that focuses on supporting the health and well-being of all adolescents, with special attention to using a developmental perspective to develop programs, policies, and other interventions that address contemporary risk and protective factors.

M.S. Degree Requirements: Core Areas of Study Program

Program requirements for the Core Areas of Study include:

1. Completion of the 12-credit core curriculum that includes HDFS 991, Professional Issues for Family Specialists; HDFS 993, Theoretical Approaches to Family Studies; and HDFS 994, Research Seminar;

2. Twenty-two (22) hours of coursework including four (4) semester hours of practicum or internship (HDFS 911), and a graduate-level statistics course; and

3. Successful completion of a research thesis (6-10 credits in HDFS 899), OR a comprehensive written examination, plus eight (8) credits of approved electives in place of HDFS 899.

Thesis Option: Students electing to complete a research thesis must write and defend a thesis based on original research. Students must earn a minimum of 6 credits of HDFS 899 (Master's Thesis).

Comprehensive Examination: Students electing to complete a comprehensive examination must take an additional 8 credits of approved electives in place of thesis credits. The comprehensive examination consists of a timed, three-hour closed-book portion and a one-week take-home exam.

A graduate student who fails a course must immediately attend a mandatory meeting with the instructor of the course, the human development and family studies graduate coordinator, and, if desired, the student's adviser. If a graduate student receives grades below "B-" in two or more courses, the human development and family studies graduate coordinator will make a recommendation to the Graduate School that the student be dismissed from the human development and family studies graduate program.

M.S. Degree: Core Areas of Study Courses

Abbreviation

Course Number

Title

Credits

HDFS

807

Practicum

1 TO 6

HDFS

808

Child and Family Center Internship

1 TO 6

HDFS

809

Child Study and Development Center Internship

1 TO 6

HDFS

833

Supervising Programs for Young Children

4

HDFS

834

Curriculum for Young Children

4

HDFS

843

Families, Schools, and Community

4

HDFS

846

Human Sexuality

4

HDFS

857

Race, Class, Gender, and Families

4

HDFS

860

Family Programs and Policies

4

HDFS

871

Observation and Assessment of Young Children

4

HDFS

872

International Approaches to Child Advocacy

4

HDFS

873

International Perspectives on Children and Families

4

HDFS

876

Children, Adolescents and the Law

4

HDFS

894

Families and the Law

4

HDFS

897

Special Topics

1 TO 4

HDFS

899

Master's Thesis

1 TO 6

HDFS

911

Graduate Internship

2 TO 8

HDFS

930

Child Development in Context

4

HDFS

950

Contemporary Issues in Adolescent Development

4

HDFS

991

Professional Issues for Family Specialists

4

HDFS

993

Theoretical Approaches to Family Studies

4

HDFS

994

Research Seminar

4

M.S. Degree Requirements: Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Program requirements include:

1. The 12-credit core curriculum (HDFS 991, Professional Issues for Family Specialists; HDFS 993, Theoretical Approaches to Family Studies; and HDFS 994, Research Seminar);

4. Successful completion and presentation of an integrative paper and video representing the student's theory of change.

A graduate student who fails a course must immediately attend a mandatory meeting with the instructor of the course, the human development and family studies graduate coordinator, and, if desired, the student's adviser. If a graduate student receives grades below "B-" in two or more courses, the human development and family studies graduate coordinator will make a recommendation to the Graduate School that the student be dismissed from the human development and family studies graduate program.

M.S. Degree: MFT Program Courses

Abbreviation

Course Number

Title

Credits

HDFS

841

Marital and Family Therapy

4

HDFS

897

Special Topics

1 TO 4

HDFS

898

Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum

1 TO 8

HDFS

930

Child Development in Context

4

HDFS

942

Advanced Systems of Marital and Family Therapy

4

HDFS

945

Family Therapy Practice I

4

HDFS

946

Critical Problems in Family Life

4

HDFS

947

Family Therapy Practice II

4

HDFS

952

Clinical Interventions in Couples Therapy

4

HDFS

954

Human Sexuality, The Treatment of Sexual Problems, and the Clinical Applications of Sexual Therapy

4

HDFS

991

Professional Issues for Family Specialists

4

HDFS

993

Theoretical Approaches to Family Studies

4

HDFS

994

Research Seminar

4

Certificate Requirements: Adolescent Development

A certificate in adolescent development is awarded upon completion of: (1) a 2-course core curriculum; and (2) an additional two elective courses, one of which must be a human development and family studies course.

Core Curriculum Courses

Abbreviation

Course Number

Title

Credits

HDFS

950

Contemporary Issues in Adolescent Development

4

HDFS

995

Seminar & Special Problems - Human Development

3

Human Development and Family Studies Electives (choose at least one)

Abbreviation

Course Number

Title

Credits

HDFS

846

Human Sexuality

4

HDFS

860

Family Programs and Policies

4

HDFS

857

Race, Class, Gender, and Families

4

HDFS

876

Children, Adolescents, and the Law

4

HDFS

897

Special Topics (prior approval required)

4

HDFS

991

Professional Issues for Family Specialists

4

HDFS

993

Theoretical Approaches to Family Studies

4

Multidisciplinary Electives

Abbreviation

Course Number

Title

Credits

EDUC

810C

Youth Organizations

4

EDUC

817

Growing Up Male in America

4

RMP

805

Management and Policy in Therapeutic Recreation

3

RMP

830

Camp Administration and Leadership

3

RMP

860

Community Sports Organizations: Administration and Leadership

3

SOC

815

Criminological Theory

4

SOC

820

Sociology of Drug Use

4

SOC

840

Sociology of Mental Health

4

SOC

876

Family Violence Research Seminar

4

SOC

975

Sociology of the Family

4

SW

805

Child and Adolescent Risks and Resiliency: Program, Policy and Practice

3

SW

815

Practice with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender People

3

Other human development and family studies or multidisciplinary electives may be selected with adviser approval.